Essays
Celebrating Earth Month by creating an indoor nature retreat
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Earth Month is the perfect time to reflect, recharge, and appreciate Planet Earth and its incredible people, plants, and animals.
A 2025 research study found that modern indoor lifestyles have separated people from nature. However, incorporating natural elements into people's lives in their homes can change this situation. Nature can transform people's lives, rejuvenating their bodies, minds, and spirits. Walking through a forest among the tall trees can make a person feel powerful, just like the trees. It's as if they're whispering and encouraging people to reach for the sky.
Memories of time spent in nature inspire me to bring those feelings and experiences into my daily life. By recreating natural scenes, people can make a nature refuge in their homes. Here are three ways to bring the outdoors inside and create a nature retreat at home. Adding a wall of plants, a koi pond, and mountain views can turn a living room into a serene oasis. A bedroom can become a tranquil retreat with a waterfall, lush vegetation, and nature views. Planting a vegetable garden in the kitchen is another way to integrate nature into an indoor environment.
Bringing nature indoors connects us to combat climate change
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The human-nature disconnect in urban areas is causing climate change inaction.
Over 4 billion people—more than half of the world's population—live in cities. In the United States, 85% of the population—over 270 million people—lives in urban areas, where we spend 85% of our time indoors. As an environmental educator, I recognize that this human-nature disconnect is one cause of climate change inaction.
As we approach another Earth Day this April 22nd, I argue that by bringing nature indoors, we can become more connected and involved with climate change on an individual level. We can incorporate elements of nature into our living spaces: Add house plants, choose sustainable furniture and décor, and start a kitchen herb garden.
Indoor Air Pollution Causes Millions of Deaths Each Year
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The EPA must establish a national Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA) to combat indoor air pollution.
Indoor air pollution is responsible for an estimated three to five million premature deaths worldwide each year. The air inside our homes can be up to ten times more toxic than outside air, leading to serious health issues like respiratory problems and chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
The EPA must establish a national Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA) to combat indoor air pollution and require testing and regulation of toxic chemicals before they enter the market. A national CIAA could be cost-effective, reduce illness, and save lives, ensuring a healthier and safer future for everyone. Just as the Clean Air Act (CAA) has been crucial in addressing outdoor pollution, a similar approach is necessary for indoor air quality.
Marin Voice: County offers inspiration for the 2024 election
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The climate emergency is here now. We must act to save our planet.
The November ballot is a "climate election." If we do not aggressively implement clean energy programs by 2030, we risk entering a climate doomsday spiral with no end.
Our lives depend on us taking personal and conscious action between now and the election. We must make time to be outside in nature, embracing the beauty and wonder of our planet's natural world. This daily reminder is essential and mandatory for our morale and motivation – to keep us inspired, alert and vigilant about supporting only those candidates on the ballot who will absolutely and aggressively address the climate energy crisis looming ahead.
We need Olympic flame of hope for climate-ravaged planet
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As the 2024 Paris Games begin, the Olympic torch inspires us with its flame,
symbolizing hope for everyone around the world.
But as we watch the athletes' dazzling performances, our climate-ravaged planet brings us closer to extinction every day. We desperately need to feel the same kind of Olympic flame of hope in our hearts for our planet—hope that we can stop the destruction and devastation caused by climate change.
The transformative power of reconnecting with nature can help us gain a deeper understanding of our place in the natural world and feel a sense of responsibility towards it. Nature can empower us to mitigate climate change, heal our souls, and inspire us to save our Planet.
Stay in Oceanside offered a mesmerizing reminder of nature’s charm
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Such experiences help us remember why we are fighting to save our planet.
This is an op-ed about how I renewed my bond with the natural world while living on the beach in Oceanside, California. Every day, I experienced the breathtaking beauty and magnificence of the ocean.
I describe how we can all nurture our connection with the natural world by experiencing nature in our daily lives. Our love of nature will be renewed and embedded in our hearts, motivating us to take action to end environmental devastation.